On Friday, August 16 Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced that he would not participate in any events organized by Capital Pride this year after that group committed to solidarity with Palestine.
In a statement on August 6, Capital Pride, which is the main organizer of annual Pride events in Ottawa, condemned the violence that has been perpetrated against all civilians in Israel and Palestine.
“Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as the full extent of the atrocities committed against civilians were uncovered. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the acts of terrorism committed that day,” the Capital Pride statement reads.
In that statement, Capital Pride also accused Israel of engaging in pinkwashing to deflect from their oppression of the Palestinian people.
READ MORE: Israeli pinkwashing: ‘It’s a facade’
The statement goes on to read:
“Part of the growing Islamophobic sentiment we are witnessing is fuelled by the pink-washing of the war in Gaza and racist notions that all Palestinians are homophobic and transphobic. By portraying itself as a protector of the rights of queer and trans people in the Middle East, Israel seeks to draw attention away from its abhorrent human rights abuses against Palestinians. We refuse to be complicit in this violence.”
Backlash from parts of Ottawa’s Jewish community
The statement by Ottawa’s principle Pride organization was met immediately with condemnation from some members of Ottawa’s Jewish community, including the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
Mayor Sutcliffe encouraged Capital Pride’s leaders to meet with members of Ottawa’s Jewish community to discuss their concerns.
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa released a statement on Wednesday saying that after meeting with Capital Pride that they had refused to back down from their solidarity with Palestine. The statement from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa reads:
“While our initial meeting was positive, Capital Pride’s board has decided they are unwilling to reconsider or act on their position and make this year’s Pride events safe and inclusive for all.
Given Capital Pride’s refusal to adjust its stance, and the significant harm this position poses to the safety of the Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and our community partners have made the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from this year’s Pride Parade.”
Sutcliffe sided with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and announced on Thursday that he too would not participate in Capital Pride events in the city, which take place this month.
“I’m disappointed that despite conversations with the Jewish community, the board of Capital Pride has chosen to stand behind its original statement that caused significant hurt and distress for many members of the Jewish community. This decision by the board, days before the start of Pride, has unfortunately created an atmosphere where many now do not feel welcome to participate,” reads a post from Sutcliffe on X.
“It’s important to continue to support the 2LGBTQ+ community and defend the values of equity and inclusion that the Pride movement has always stood for. I will be attending Pride activities in the days ahead but unless there is a change in approach, I will not be participating in events organized by Capital Pride this year,” Sutcliffe’s post on X concludes.
Capital Pride recognizes genocide against Palestinians
In their statement, Capital Pride committed to four actions to show their solidarity with Palestinians:
- Integrating resources such as the Palestinian BDS National Committee’s boycott list in our existing review process of current and future sponsorship agreements;
- Hosting Zaffa: A Queer Arab Showcase, a signature event as part of the 2024 Capital Pride Festival that features discussions about ongoing issues facing LGBTQIA+ Arabs locally and abroad;
- Recognizing the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in opening remarks at 2024 Capital Pride Festival Signature Events; and
- Working with all our partners, both public and private, to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, increased access to humanitarian aid, and more accessible pathways for refugees.
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